my favorite wedding details photographs of 2011 – shoes / rings / reception details

During the course of the year, there are detail images that stood out for me. Here are a selection of my favorite images – whether the item was actually very pretty, or whether I just really liked my lighting or how I photographed it.

wedding ring photographs

more images: wedding photography – Park Savoy, NJ

more images: wedding photography – Park Savoy, NJ

There’s a story here behind the flying pig ring.

more images: wedding photography – The Venetian, NJ

more images: wedding photography – Liberty House, NJ

wedding reception details

more images: wedding photography – Westmount Country Club, NJ

more images: wedding photography – The Newark Club

There was an Alice in Wonderland theme here to the decorations and details

more images: wedding photography – Shadowbrook, NJ

more images: wedding photography – The Seasons, NJ

Lina & Mihir – an Indian wedding!

I just love photographing Indian weddings! Colorful sprawling events. A little bit of chaos, lots of friendly people. Add all the ceremony and rituals with joyous celebration and a big party .. and you have … well, all of the above! Lina and Mihir, it was wonderful working with you. Congratulations on getting married and best wishes for your future together!

to see more, view the album of photos on Facebook

Jen & Chris – their wedding day – The Venetian, NJ

This was one of those weddings that I was really looking forward to this year. I mean, really looking forward to it. With the engagement photo session last year, we had a heavy rain downpour, but Jen & Chris really brought the sparkle to the rainy day. So much that I used photos from the engagement session to illustrate a chapter in my book on off-camera flash photography. Lots of energy and tons of personality just made it one of the most memorable photo sessions I’ve photographed in New York.

Which leads us right to their wedding day, an exuberant affair …

The wedding reception was held at The Venetian, in Garfield, NJ

Jennifer and Chris … thank you! It was just an incredible day, and it was a privilege to be your wedding photographer.

to see more, view the album of photos on Facebook

the wedding experts:
videographer: Fiore Films

Christine & Jesse – their wedding day – Park Savoy, Florham Park, NJ

Christine was the epitome of elegant style on her wedding day. And with that, I’d like to show a few detail images – shoes from Kate Spade; rings designed by Craiger Drake.

The wedding ceremony and reception was at one of my favorite venues here in New Jersey – the Park Savoy. Beautiful gardens suited for the outdoor ceremony.

Christine and Jesse – the two of  you were just fantastic to work with again. Just as I anticipated from the photo session we had in New York a few weeks earlier. It was a pleasure to have met you, and congratulations on getting married!

to see more, view the album of photos on Facebook

Stacey & Jay – their wedding; Aldie Mansion, Doylestown, PA

I usually meet up with couples before the wedding, whether the initial consultation, or the engagement photo session. Because of Stacey and Jay’s work schedule, and the distance to NJ, we never quite got to meet up before-hand. I love doing the engagement photo session, for it gives me a real idea of what photographing the wedding day will be like. But on this day, I walked in without having met them … so what a wonderful surprise it was to meet a couple that is so exuberant and even animated. There wasn’t ever a lack of expression or something to photograph. Stacey and Jay, it was a real pleasure working with you as the photographer on your wedding day!

Their reception venue was the historic Aldie Mansion, which is quite a photogenic backdrop.

to see more, view the album of photos on Facebook

wedding vendors:
DJ – Cutting Edge Entertainment
venue – Aldie Mansion, Doylestown, PA

I recently had the pleasure of photographing a destination wedding in Florida.  But not only was this a destination wedding, this also happened to be the first time that I photographed a same-sex couple and their wedding.   And I felt particularly honoured that Lisa and Kelly placed so much faith placed in me with a special event like this.

The photo at the top is  my favourite image of the day, in that it shows this wonderful couple together in a spontaneous moment.  It is  very much *them*, and I am sure their friends and family will instantly recognize this image as capturing the essence of who they are, and how they are. 

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A quieter moment from earlier in the day during Lisa and Kelly’s preparation .. 

Lisa’s mom giving her daughter a last quick kiss before the ceremony ..

 A very touching moment during the ceremony –  Lisa reaching over to her sister, Kristin, when Kristin couldn’t hold back her tears anymore during the reading.

 After the ceremony we had some time for the romantic portrait sessions.

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The preparation, ceremony and intimate reception were all held  at the Sundy House in Delray Beach, FL.

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The entire day was an emotional experience for everyone, and the toast from Lisa’s dad during the reception was no different.

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Afterwards we went for a photo session on the beach.   Even though the late afternoon light was just perfect, the wind was gusty.  But we did get some beautiful photographs of Lisa and Kelly together.

Lisa and Kelly .. thank you for having there as part of your wedding day.

Shannon and Peter’s wedding day took place down on the Jersey shore – and we had a beautiful day.  There was a storm the previous day which blew away the tent that they would’ve initially used for the reception, but despite this hiccup, Shannon and Peter took things in their stride, and the day was a happy celebration with family and friends.

From earlier, during Shannon’s preparation ..

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There is a moment during the ceremony that I wait for – after the exchange of vows, when attention is off the couple, I know they will inevitably lean closer to whisper to each other ..

After the ceremony, off to the waterfront and beach for the photo session and the reception ..

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You just have to love a couple that has so much spontaneous energy!

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The party .. well, let’s just say it was one of thooose parties!   Everyone had a great time.

Shannon even took a few spins on the dance floor ..

Shannon and Peter … thank you, the two of you made it so much fun photographing your wedding!

Jennifer and Elias win my award for the couple who is the most exhuberantly in love.  I have no other way to describe it. The images here will show what I am talking about – even from the First Look earlier in the morning, to the announcement in the church service that they are now indeed married .. all the way to skipping down the aisle out of the church! 

Their energy is simply infectuous, and the entire day was just a happy joyful celebration with friends and family.

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The bridal party, with a last bit of Fall colour ..  

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The reception was held at The Brownstone, in West Paterson ..

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Such determination!

Jennifer and Elias, thank you for having me as part of your wedding day.  : )

Just over two years ago, I photographed  Christine’s sister’s wedding, and commented then that it was like being invited into the midst of the family for the day.  Even photographing Christine and Frank’s engagement session felt like a leisurely catching-up.  So I really looked forward to their wedding day and meeting Christine’s family again.

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Christine’s dad’s reaction on seeing her in her wedding dress for the first time ..

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Christine’s dad, just before handing his daughter over to her groom ..

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The wedding reception was at The Park Savoy (Florham Park, NJ)

Christine and Frank, congratulations!  It was a pleasure meeting the two of you again. : )

It rained heavily on Regan and John’s wedding day, so for the portraits we had to come up with a variety of ideas inside at the reception.  Fortunately The Manor has all kinds of nooks to use as romantic backdrops. And with a couple as easy to photograph as Regan and John, it just had to turn out very well.

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From earlier on in the day with Regan’s prep ..

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.. and the church ceremony ..

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Back at The Manor with the bridal party ..
(I have to mention that I’m especially proud of my lighting here.)

Regan and John, it was a real pleasure working with you as your wedding photographer.
Best wishes for your future together.